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So you can be a Seriously Empowered, Amazing Older You.
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Changing the way You age, and eventually, this entire generation.
When people think about preparing for older age, financial planning usually comes first. Retirement savings, superannuation, and investments all feel urgent. But there is another form of wealth that is just as critical — and often overlooked: your health.
Health in later life isn’t just a matter of comfort or longevity. It has very real economic consequences for you, your family, and the community. And the choices you make in your 40s, 50s, and early 60s can make all the difference.
Economists sometimes talk about human capital — the skills, energy, and abilities you bring to work and life. Good health is part of that. Just as you build up a retirement fund over decades, you also “invest” in your health. Small, consistent habits now can reduce medical costs and increase independence in later years.
Think of it this way: staying active and preventing disease is like earning compound interest. Every healthy year you add now multiplies your chances of staying strong and independent later.
The reality is clear: conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis are expensive — not only in dollars but also in quality of life. Most of these diseases are influenced by lifestyle choices made in mid-life.
Investing in prevention through:
Regular exercise (even brisk walking or cycling)
Balanced nutrition (watching sugar, salt, and processed foods)
Routine check-ups and screenings
Prioritising sleep and stress management
… can dramatically reduce the chance of long-term medication, hospital stays, or early reliance on care.
For many people, mid-life is a time to think about whether you’ll want (or need) to keep working later on. Good health supports this. Older adults in good shape can choose to stay in the workforce, volunteer, or support family members. Poor health, by contrast, can force people into early retirement — often before they are financially ready.
Independence is priceless. When older adults maintain mobility, mental sharpness, and physical strength, they reduce their reliance on family or formal care. For mid-age people, this means two things:
Looking after your future self.
Reducing the emotional and financial stress on your children or loved ones down the track.
If you already track your financial investments, consider tracking your “health investments” too. Ask yourself:
Am I putting enough into my fitness “account”?
Am I diversifying my wellbeing (exercise, nutrition, social connections, mental health)?
Am I avoiding “bad debt” (smoking, excessive drinking, untreated stress)?
Just like in finance, consistency beats quick fixes.
Planning for later life is more than dollars and cents. The economics of good health shows that prevention pays off — in reduced medical costs, longer independence, and better quality of life. Mid-age is the perfect time to act, because the dividends of health investments grow stronger over time.
So as you plan your financial future, make sure your health plan is just as robust. Think of exercise, balanced eating, sleep, and regular check-ups as deposits into the most valuable account you’ll ever have: your future wellbeing.